Justification:
The population in Syrian Lake Muzarib (0.5 km2) is virtually unstudied and may be highly threatened (there are a number of potential threats to the species in the lake but their impacts to the species are unknown). However, this is a very abundant and stable species in Lake Tiberias where it is regularly fished, and the fishery is well managed in Lake Tiberias. Lake Tiberias (166 km2) will hold the vast majority of the species population therefore the species is assessed as Least Concern.

This pelagic, lacustrine species is small (less than 250 total length). Its spawning season last six months and peak in winter (January-February). It spawns in the shallow littoral zone on algae-free stones. Breeding success depends on the extent of rise of water level in winter. It is a zooplankton feeder. It is a fishery species.

No serious threats known at present to the species in Lake Kinneret (Tiberias) in Israel, however there are potential threats to the population in Lake Muzayrib in Syria is water abstraction for irrigation, not native fishes (C. carpio & Tilapia sp.).